Convector



Sept. 19, 1933- R. s. WENTWORTH CONVECTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 25, 1932 W ZIWTOR p 1933. R. s. WENTWORTH GONVECTOR Filed March 25, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 m /JHHHUM HU WH HH N- 4 w F F Jwb WM {iii x INVENTOR MJ/jZM A M W Patented Sept. 19, 1933 STATES.

PAT

ENT OFFICE to National Radiator Corporation,

town, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Application March 25, 1932. Serial No. 601,194 14 Claims. (01. 257-136) Figure 4 is a similar section in the plane of line Y lhis invention relates to a space or room heater, and more particularly to that type ofindirect heater generally termed a radiator, and is especially for this type of heater adapted to be enclosed within a cabinet open at the top and the bottom and so disposed as to set up convective currents. These heaters are generally termed convectors.

As explained in my copending application Serial No. 513,883, filed February 6, 1931, a convector, to function efficiently, should be constructed so as to provide for a relatively short air flow in contact with the convector. The reason for this is that the greater the difierential in the temperature of the air and of the convector, the greater is the rate of heat transfer from the convector to the air. the rate of heat transfer diminishes. Radiation is figured on the basis of the rate of heat transfer per pound of metal employed. Where the convector is so constructed that the air flows in contact with the convector for a relatively great distance, the temperature of the air in the last portion of the flow ismuch higher than the temperature of the air initially. The rate of heat transfer is therefore proportionately less in the latter portion of the travel of the air, with the resultthat the portion of the convector across which the air last flows has a relatively low efficiency per pound of metal employed. v

Moreover, in a convector, it is desirable to have a considerable amount of extended area in the form of heat radiating or dissipating fins. Where the convector is made of cast iron, the problem of casting restricts the number of fins and their extent and minimum thickness.

The present invention provides a convector adapted to be formed from cast iron in which the air will have relatively short but turbulent passage and wherein the heat radiating fins-are so disposed as to give a large amount of extended area in proportion to the prime surface of the convector and considering the limitations that the problem of casting impose.

The invention may be readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an end view of a convector assembly embodying my invention and wherein the out line of the cabinet in which the convector is contained is conventionally shown;

only a few of the heat radiating fins, however, being shown;

Figure 3 represents a transverse vertical secwhen it is desirable to have a connection leading H tion in .the plane of line IIIIII of Figure 2;

As the temperature of theair rises,

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the convector,

IVIV of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a View similar to Figure 2 showing the manner in which the units may be coupled together in end-to-end relation:

Figure '6 is a top plan view of the arrangement shown in Figure 2 and Figures '7 and 8 are diagrammatic views illus trating the advantage of using heat dissipating fins or barrels of small diameter over barrels of large diameter.

Referring first to Figure 1 of the drawings, this figure shows the assembly of the convector, par' ticularly with relation to thecabinet in which it is retained. The cabinet may comprise a metal enclosure, or may be built into the wall of a building. A represents the floor line of the cabinet; B the back wall; and C is the front panel. There is a vertical chamber D between the back and front walls B and C. At the floor line is an air inlet opening E and at the top of the cabinet the chamber D is open, as indicated at F.

The convector assembly is inclined at an anglev across the chamber D. I have shown the chamber D conventionally and of a dimension which would be the minimum dimension for radiation of this type. The chamber might be considerably wider, depending upon the provision made for radiation, in which case the convector would slope to even a greater extent from the vertical posi-= tion.

The convector itself is formed of two parts, thev lower one. of which is designated 2 and the upper one is designated 3. Part 2 is an integral casting and part 3 is an integral casting, the two parts being of the same construction, but part 3 being turned upside down with res ect to part 2.

The section 2 hasa main horizontal barrel por- 'tion 4 at vthe bottom thereof, and above this is a series of similar but smaller horizontal barrels 5. The horizontal barrels all open into vertical barrels 6 at each end of the section, and between the end barrel 6 at regular intervals are other vertical barrels '7. Cast integrally with :the barrels are vertically extending heat radiating fins 8. At the lowermost corners of this section are offset connector portions 9, the arrangement of which may be best seen by reference to Figure 3. I These con nector portions 9 are offset to one side of the center line of the several barrels and the centerline of the connector forms an angle to the center line passing through the several barrels. At the bottom of each section in the end wall thereof is a boss .0 in which a nipple port may be formed into the end of the section rather than into the bottom connector 9. The boss 10 normally cast with a closed wall and where it is desirable to have an open port the casting is cut away. On the side face of the section 2 at each corner is a nipple boss 12 having an opening therethrough. In the uppermost corners of the section 2 are connector portions 13 having nipple bosses is with ports therethrough, these bosses and ports being on the side face of the section.

The upper section 3, as previously stated, isof the same construction as the lower section 2, but it is reversed and upside down with respect to the lower section 2. Whenthe two sections are reversed and put together in this way the nipple ports 14 of the upper section 3 register with the nipple ports 12 of the lower section 2. Likewise, the nipple ports 14 of the lower section 2 register with the nipple ports 12 of the upper section 3;

The lowermost barrel l of the section 2 is the lowermost barrel of the assembly, while the corresponding large barrel or" the upper section is the highest part of the 315514111 013 When the two sections are put together in this fashion the horizontal barrels 5 ofthe lower section 2 are staggered with espect to the corresponding barrels of the upper section 3. For securing the sections together in this relation the section 2 is provided with threaded lugs or bosses 1.5 at the top thereof adjacent each end of the section, and it is provided at 16 with webs having bolt holes therein. The section 3 of course has correspondingly located bosses and bolt holes and when the sections are put together the bolt holes of one section register with the threaded bosses of the other, allowing the two sections to be tightly bolted together by the bolts 17 as shown in Figure 6.

Preferably, the sections are made relatively short so that they can be arranged in multiples in end-to-end relation according to the length of the cabinet.

In connecting the sections together in end-to end relation, as shown in Fig. 1, the nipple ports in the bosses 10 of the abutting ends of the sections are cut through. The sections are forced together with a push nipple as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. For rigidly holding the assembly together the sections are provided at the top and bottom at each end thereof with ears or lugs 18. Short tie bolts 19 pass through the lugs 18 adjacent the abutting ends of the sections. Only two nipples are required to connect two units comprising four sections. The nipple ports it might of course be cast all the way through and subsequently supplied with screw plugs and then, to join the sections in endto-end relation, the plugs would be removed at the abutting endsof the sections.

The arrangement of several vertical and horizontal columns in each of the two sections of a unit is highly desirable because without the intermediate barrels 7 the steam would tend to rise up one of the vertical barrels 6, fiow along the top barrel, and down the other end barrel, and trap air between the ends of the intervening barrels 5 and in the lowermost barrel l. However, through the provision of the several vertical barrels 7, intermediate the end barrels, the circulation is set up in such manner to draw all of the entrapped air out of all of the horizontal barrels.

The advantage or" using two sections in superimposed relationship instead or" using single barrels of relatively greater capacity resides in the fact that there may be a greater amount of efriciently disposed extended area in proportion to equal to the height.

the amount of prime area and less weight of metal in the extended area. The reason for this is best explained by reference to Figs. 7 and 3. In Figure 8 I have shown a barrel M having integral heat radiating fins L thereon. From the standpoint of casting, the distance between the fins should not be materially less than the height of the fins. In other words, the dimension 1 should be about the same as the distance it. This relation holds true irrespective of the diameter of the barrel M. In Figure 7 I have shown two barrels of different diameters; the large one is designated X and the smaller one Y. Each is shown being provided with an integral cast fin, these fins bein designated a: and y, respectively. Theheight oi" the fin y is the same as the height of the fin x, and as explained in connection with Figure 8, the spacing between fins should be about The area of the fin y pro portionately to the diameter of the tube Y is much greater than the area of the fin x with relation to the diarne er of the tube X. The smaller tube Y therefore has a greater extended area in proportion to the prime area than has the tube X.

Referring again to Figure l, the chamber D is of a fixed width. The size of the heating unit which it will contain is necessarily limited.

Applying the principle explained in connection with Figures 7 and 8, it will be seen that a greater amount of extended area with respect to the prime area can be placed in'the limited space provided by the cabinet by the use of two sections having small barrels instead of using a single section having relatively larger barrels.

In addition to this, in making a cast metal fin the pattern has to have a certain slope or taper in order to enable it to be lifted out of the sand mold. The fins cannot be cast on a commercial basis below a minimum thickness. Taking, for

example, two fins each of this minimum thickness at the tip, and one two inches high, and one one inch high, each must have the taper so that the pattern can be pulled clear of the mold. The two-inch fin must, therefore, be relatively thicker at itsbase than the one-inch fin. This means that the higher fin has a greater weight of metal per foot of extended area than has the shorter fin.

The present invention, therefore, enables the: use of shorter fins spaced closer together, giving a greater area of extended surface with relation a to the area of the prime surface and with a less weight of rectal per unit area of extended surface than is obtainable using larger barrels with longer fins. The invention gives in the joining of .two sections having small barrels the effect of substantially continuous fin surface.

In a convector radiator it is desirable to have a short air travel over the surface of the convector with a relatively large amount of area to contact with the air. This is obtained in the corporates in a cast metal structure a degree of elficiency which has heretofore been approached only inasseinbled sheet metal structures disposed in a horizontal position. As the depth of the cabinet increased, permitting a greater sloping of the convector unit, the greater is the effieiency oi the section because the travelof the air is more nearly vertical and is deflected less from the true vertical fiow.- The drawing, Figure 1, therefore shows the convector disposed in its least advantageous position insofar as efficiency'is concerned, but in the position in which it occupies the least width of fioor space or depth-oi cabinet space. i 1

It is desirable that the lowest barrel of the unit, because it has to handle the steam flow and condensate from both sections, be larger than the other barrels of the assembly, and this arrangement is obtained because the lowermost barrel 4 is of larger diameter. It is also desirable that the highest part of the convector be of relatively large capacity in order' to facilitate the air fiow to this portion of the convector to enable the air to be drawn out through a caulk (not shown). The present invention provides this advantage through the reversal of one section with respect to the other, and incidentally, secures also the staggering of the two s ries of horizontal bar rels.

The arrangement of the offset connector portions 9 in the bottom of the section 2 and in the top or" the section 3 is desirable from the standpoint of making connections to the convector. Moreover, the steam intake pipe can enter the bottom of the lower section or the top of the upper section, enabling the convector to be adapted to all types of piping systems which are used for heating plants. Those connector portions which are not required to be used are plugged.

While I have described the invention in detail, it will be understood that this is by way of illustration and that various changes and modifications may be made in the construction shown within the contemplation of my invention and under the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A convector comprising a cast metal unit having a series'of horizontal barrels and a series of vertical barrels, vertically extending fins on the horizontal barrels, and an enclosure around the unit having an opening below the unit and an opening above the unit and providing a flue intermediate the openings, the convector being inclined from a vertical position across the fine. 2. A convector comprising a cast metal unit having a series of horizontal barrels and a series of vertical barrels, verticaliy extending fins on the horizontal barrels, and an enclosure around the unit having an opening below the unit and an opening above the unit and providing a flue intermediate the openings, the convector being inhaving a series of horizontal barrels and a series of vertical barrels, vertically extending fins on the horizontal barrels, the convector being inclined irom a vertical position, the lowermost barrel of the convector being of greater diameter than the other barrels, and connector portions at each end of the section opening into the lowermost barrel, said connector portions being laterally oliset from the plane of the central line of the severalbarrels.

e. A convector comprising a cast metal unit having a series of horizontal barrels and a series of vertical barrels, vertically extending fins on the horizontal barrels, the convector being inclined from a'vertical position, the lowermost barrel of the convector being of greater diameter than the other barrels, connector portions at eachiend of the section opening into the lowermost barrel, said connector portions being laterally oifset from the plane of the central line of the several barrels, and a second section superimposed on the first and having ports communicating therewith, the second section being inverted with respect to the first.

5. A convector comprising two series of horizontally extending barrels connected by vertical barrels, the horizontal barrels of one series being staggered with reference to those of the other series, heat radiating fins on the horizontal barrels, and an enclosure for the convector opening below and above the convector and providing a fiue intermediate the openings, the convector being disposed at an angle across the flue and between the upper and lower openings.

6. A convector comprising two series of horizontally extending barrels connected by vertical barrels, the horizontal barrels of one series being staggered with reference to those of theotherv series, integrally cast vertically extending heat radiating fins on the barrels, and an enclosure for the convector opening below and above the convector and providing a flue intermediate the openings, the convector being disposed at an angle across the flue and between the upper and lower openings. I

7. A convector comprising a section having a series of communicating horizontal barrels, said barrels having heat radiating fins thereon, a

second section superimposed on the first and similar to the first, the barrels of the second section being staggered with relation to those of the first, and communicating ports on the two sections.

8. A convector comprising a section having a series of communicating horizontal barrels, said barrels having heat radiating fins thereon, a second section superimposed on the first and similar to the first, the barrels of the second section being staggered with relation to those of the first, and communicating ports on the two sections, the two sections comprising a unit which is inclined from a vertical plane.

9. A convector comprising a section having a series of communicating horizontal barrels, said barrels having heat radiating fins thereon, a second section superimposed on the first and similar to the first, the barrels of the second section being staggered with relation to those of the first, and communicating ports on the two sections, the two sections comprising a unit which is inclined from a vertical plane, the lowermost barrel of the first section being of larger diameter than the other barrels, the uppermost barrel of the second section being of larger diameter than the other barrels.

10. A convector unit comprising two sections of similar construction arranged in superimposed relation, one of which is inverted with respect to the other, the sections having registering ports therein, means for securing the sections together,

thesections having a series of horizontal barrels 1 which communicate with each other through connecting barrels, the, series of barrels being barrel portions connecting the horizontal bar rel portions, said section having connector ports on one face thereof adjacent each corner thereof, a similar section superimposed on said first section but inverted with respect to the first section and having horizontal barrel portions thereon staggered with respect to those of the first, the ports in the faces of the two'sections registering, and pipe connector portions on each section.

12. A convector assembly comprising two units in end-to-end relation, each unit comprising two sections of similar construction but one of which is inverted with respect to the other, each section having a plurality of horizontal barrel portions connected by vertical barrel portions, the sections of each unit having communicating ports, one section of each unit being arranged above the other section or" the same unit, the uppermost portions of the upper sections of the respective units being in direct communication, and the lowermost portions of the lower sections of each unit being in direct communication.

13. A convector assembly comprising two units in end-to-end relation, each unit comprising two sections of similar construction but one of which i is inverted with respect to the other, each section having a plurality of horizontal barrel portions connected by vertical barrel portions, the sections of each unit having communicating ports, one section of each unit being arranged above the other section of the same unit, the uppermost portions of the upper sections or" the respective units being in direct communication, and the lowermost portions of the lower sections of each unit being in direct communication, the horizontal barrels of the upper units of each section beingstaggered with relation to those of the lower unit, the entire assembly being inclined from a vertical plane. a

14. A convector assembly comprising two units in end-to-end relation, each unit comprising two sections of similar construction but one of which is inverted with respect to the other, each section having a plurality of horizontal barrel portions connectcdby vertical barrel portions, the sections of each unit having communicating ports, one section of each unit being arranged above the other section of the same unit, the uppermost portions of the upper sections of the respective units being in direct communication, and the lowermost portions of the lower sections of each unit being in direct communication, the horizontal barrels of the upper units of each section being staggered with relation to those of the lower unit, the entire assembly being inclined from a vertical plane, each section of each unit having a plurality of vertically extending heat radiating fins thereon.

ROBERT S. WENTWORTH. 

